| Catecholamine |
Articles about Catecholamine |
Information AboutCatecholamine |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CATECHOLAMINE | |
| benzenediols | |
| biogenic amines | |
| catecholamines | |
| neurotransmitters | |
| sympathomimetics | |
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Catecholamines are water soluble and are 50% bound to plasma proteins, so circulate in the bloodstream. The most abundant catecholamines are Epinephrine (adrenaline), Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and Dopamine . They are produced mainly from the Adrenal Medulla and the Postganglionic Fiber s of the Sympathetic Nervous System . Adrenaline acts as a neurotransmitter in the Central Nervous System and as a hormone in the blood circulation. Noradrenaline is primarily a neurotransmitter of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system but is also present in the blood (mostly through "spillover" from the Synapse s of the sympathetic system). High catecholamine levels in blood are associated with Stress , which can be induced from psychological reaction or environmental stressors such as Elevated Sound Levels or Intense Light . Catecholamines cause general physiological changes that prepare the body for physical activity ( Fight-or-flight Response ). Some typical effects are increases in heart rate, Blood Pressure , and Blood Glucose levels. Some drugs, like Tolcapone (a central COMT -inhibitor), raise the levels of all the catecholamines. Catecholamines have the distinct structure of a benzene ring with two hydroxyl groups, an intermediate ethyl chain and a terminal amine group. They have a half-life of approximately a few minutes when circulating in the blood. SEE ALSO
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